The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
I. The War in the Pacific A. By early 1945 the U.S. was dominating the Japanese in the Pacific.
I. The War in the Pacific B. But how much more money and how many more lives would complete victory in the Pacific cost? 1. The 7th War Bond Drive was a huge success thanks to the Iwo Jima Photo 2. U.S. Officials estimate 1 million U.S. lives lost and 3 to 10 million Japanese lost if the U.S. were to invade Japan.
II. The Japanese War Mentality The Japanese Code of War = Bushido Bushido means– “The Way of the Warrior” According to Bushido – Surrender was the ultimate disgrace.
II. The Japanese War Mentality D. As the Japanese began to lose ground in the Pacific: 1. The number of Kamikaze missions increased. 2. Japanese soldiers were instructed to take as many Americans with them in death as possible.
Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill
Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill
Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill
Kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill
III. The Manhattan Project A. The US was forced to consider alternative ways of winning the war in the Pacific. The U.S. would call on Fat Man and Little Boy.
III. The Manhattan Project B. With the fear that Germany had already begun development of an atomic bomb, the US entered the race to develop the first nuclear weapon.
III. The Manhattan Project C. In June of 1942, under the direction of General Leslie Groves The Manhattan Project began.
III. The Manhattan Project D. With a team of experts lead by theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer the US developed, produced, and tested an atomic bomb in just three years.
IV. The Trinity Test A. July 16, 1945 - White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico - The U.S. tested the first nuclear weapon. “I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds” J.Robert Oppenheimer
IV. The Trinity Test B. Testing showed a bomb capable of delivering previously unimagined damage. No one who saw it could forget it, a foul and awesome display. -Kenneth Bainbridge, physicist on the project
V. Hiroshima – August 6, 1945 A. The US dropped the bomb code name “Little Boy” on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Picture of Hiroshima Mushroom cloud taken by the crew of the Enola Gay.
V. Hiroshima B. Exploding some 2000 feet above an Industrial area of Hiroshima “Little Boy” instantly killed approximately 150,000 people and seriously injured another 100,000.
VI. Hiroshima Before and After aerial photos of Hiroshima
Then & Now
VII. Nagasaki – August 9, 1945 A. The US dropped the bomb code name “Fat Man” on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
VI. Nagasaki B. While the loss of life was light compared to Hiroshima it was still a horrific total. C. An estimated 80,000 were instantly killed and another 25,000 were seriously injured when “Fat Man” exploded some 500 feet above Nagasaki.
VI. Nagasaki Religious Temples destroyed in Nagasaki
VI. Nagasaki The Mitsubishi shipbuilding factory was one mile away from the epicenter.
VI. Nagasaki D. Thousands fled both cities during the days following the blasts.
VI. Nagasaki Before and After aerial shots of Nagasaki Before After
VII. Victory in Japan A. Fearing any further destruction the US might inflict on his people Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered. B. It could be argued that the use of the atomic bomb by the U.S. saved an estimated 1 million U.S. lives and nearly 10 million Japanese lives.
VII. Victory in Japan D. World War II is over C. VJ Day – August 14, 1945 D. World War II is over